Tigers prepare for challenging season

David Fierro

Updated 11:21 pm, Tuesday, March 26, 2013

At left, Olivia Hompe of New Canaan in action against Ryan Taylor # 5 of Convent of the Sacred Heart during the girls high school lacrosse scrimmage between Convent of the Sacred Heart and New Canaan High School at Convent in Greenwich, Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At left, Olivia Hompe of New Canaan in action against Ryan Taylor #...

Convent of the Sacred Heart goalie Maddie Pillari makes a stop during the girls high school lacrosse scrimmage between Convent of the Sacred Heart and New Canaan High School at Convent in Greenwich, Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At center, Liz O'Sullivan of New Canaan prepares to make a stop as Allie Kenny, left, of Convent of the Sacred Heart, goes for the ball against New Canaan's Wheatley Raabe during the girls high school lacrosse scrimmage between Convent of the Sacred Heart and New Canaan High School at Convent in Greenwich, Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At left, Ryan Taylor of Convent of the Sacred Heart during the start of the girls high school lacrosse scrimmage between Convent of the Sacred Heart and New Canaan High School at Convent in Greenwich, Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Long gone are the days when the Convent of the Sacred Heart lacrosse team was content to just produce a winning season. The Tigers raised the bar the past several years and after winning the FAA championship two seasons ago, they're hungry for another taste at the title.

"We have players who are determined to work hard and improve and enjoy being successful," Sacred Heart coach Courtney DePeter said. "They aren't happy anymore with just being okay or good. We've definitely had a mentality shift."

Returning an experienced group of defenders and some offensive firepower up front, Sacred Heart seems set to build on a 2012 campaign that saw it post a record of 12-6 and advance to the FAA Tournament finals, where it lost to rival Greenwich Academy, 12-9.

"We had a great run last year going 12-6 and making it to the finals," DePeter said. "Ending the season like that last year brings a lot of motivation for this season. It was a close game with GA and we had some opportunities we could have finished. Now the seniors on our team want it back."

There's no better way to prepare for a challenging season than facing the best the competition has to offer. That's what the Tigers did Tuesday, scrimmaging New Canaan -- regarded as one of the most formidable squads in the state.

"New Canaan is such a strong team and it's so important for us to play really strong teams so we can play up to their level," CSH senior goalie Maddie Pillari said. "I thought we matched up pretty well with them."

"We didn't care what the score was, we just wanted to find things to improve on," DePeter said. "To hang in there this early in the season against a team like that shows we have a strong season."

Pillari, who has improved in goal each year, is a co-captain along with center midfielder Taylor Ryan. A senior, Ryan has played a role in the Tigers' resurgence, as she is beginning her fourth year on the team.

"Our energy is up, we have good chemistry and we're excited for the season," said Ryan, who scored a goal in Tuesday's scrimmage. "Each year on the team has been a better and better experience for me. This year, we're hoping to make it very far."

Said Pillari: "I definitely think we can look back on last year and find out what we can do better. Right now, we have a really good vibe."

AT THE HELM: DePeter is entering her eighth season as Sacred Heart's head coach. After starring at low attack at Darien High School, she took her lacrosse skills to Notre Dame, where she became one of the school's all-time leading scorers. Louisa Polos begins her first season as DePeter's assistant.

WATCH OUR FOR: DePeter has been impressed with sophomore midfielder Emma Novick, a transfer from St. Luke's, and first-year varsity player Madison Sirabella, a junior.

STRENGTHS: "Our defense is working really well," DePeter said. "Defensively, we have more quickness than we had in the past."

Pillari should be rock solid in goal, while O'Neill, Hayden, Burkett and Millerchip give the squad a balanced scoring attack. The Tigers also possess versatile midfielders.

"We have a really strong midfield," Ryan said. "Kate Burkett and Alice Millerchip are two of our best stickhandlers in the midfield and Catherine Hayden is very aggressive on the draws."

WEAKNESSES: "Right now we're working on our settled attack," DePeter said. "We're also focusing on our transition and clearing the ball. We have seen a lot of improvement in these areas so far."

SHOWDOWNS: The Tigers open on the road against Kent School on April 3. They will face Loomis Chaffe in their home opener on April 6 and host Hamden Hall on April 8. Rival Greenwich Academy will visit Sacred Heart on April 27 in what will be a rematch of last year's FAA final. CSH will also host Greens Farms Academy (April 30), Holy Child (May 6) and Taft (May 11).

DID YOU KNOW?: O'Callaghan is playing lacrosse at Holy Cross and Sciarretta at Middlebury.